IllustrationAFTER THE ENGINE WARMS UP AND AT SPEEDS AROUND 45-50 THE ACCELERATION STICKS AS IF THE CRUISE CONTROL IS ON. THE ONLY WAY TO STOP IT IS TO PUT THE CAR IN NEUTRAL THEN DRIVE,OR SHUT THE ENGINE OFF. I DISCONNECTED THE SERVO TO THE CRUISE CONTROL TO ELIMINATE THE CRUISE AS THE CAUSE. THE PROBLEM IS INTERMITTENT BUT OCCURS OFTEN.
2001 Dodge Caravan
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2001 Dodge Caravan do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 182.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Caravan years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
250–25K
3425–50K
3150–75K
1875–100K
14100–150K
13150K+
135 reports with mileage · 122 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Air Bags. Review the 43 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Steering. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Suspension. Review the 32 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
9 crash reports3 fire reports12 injury reports
Vehicle Speed Control complaints
8 reportsTL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THE AIR BAGS WARNING INDICATOR WAS ILLUMINATED, AND THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL BECAME INOPERABLE. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE APPROXIMATE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 176,000.
TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON WAS INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED DUE TO IT BEING TO CLOSE TO THE HORN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK AT A CERTAIN SPEED, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO DRIVE ABOVE SPEED LIMITS. THE VE…
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TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2001 DODGE CARAVAN. THE CONTACT STATED THAT WHILE DRIVING AT APPROXIMATELY 70 MPH, THE CRUISE CONTROL BUTTON WAS INADVERTENTLY ENGAGED DUE TO IT BEING TO CLOSE TO THE HORN. AS A RESULT, THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE VEHICLE BECAME STUCK AT A CERTAIN SPEED, WHICH CAUSED HIM TO DRIVE ABOVE SPEED LIMITS. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT DIAGNOSED OR REPAIRED. THE MANUFACTURER WAS NOT NOTIFIED OF THE FAILURE. THE FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 195,000.
AIR BAG WARNING LIGHT IS ON CONSTANTLY. HORN WILL NOT WORK .CRUISE CONTROL WILL NOT WORK. *TR
DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THIS WAS A MATTER OF RECALL FOR THE DODGE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY FROM THE 1996-2000 MODEL YEARS. OUR CAR IS 200…
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DRIVER'S SIDE AIR BAG, THE HORN AND THE CRUISE CONTROL DO NOT WORK. IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS THAT THESE DEFECTS ARE CAUSED BY A DEFECTIVE CLOCK SPRING. THIS WAS A MATTER OF RECALL FOR THE DODGE CARAVAN AND GRAND CARAVAN, PLYMOUTH VOYAGER AND GRAND VOYAGER AND CHRYSLER TOWN AND COUNTRY FROM THE 1996-2000 MODEL YEARS. OUR CAR IS 2001 MODEL AND IS NOT IN A RECALL LIST, BUT IT IS QUITE OBVIOUS TO ME THAT THE DEFECT WAS NOT FIXED IN 2001 YEAR MODELS. AM I ALONE COMPLAINING ABOUT THIS UNFIXED PROBLEM? [XXX] INFORMATION REDACTED PURSUANT TO THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT (FOIA), 5 U.S.C. 552(B)(6). *TR
DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED .THIS CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT CALLED DODGE AND TOLD THEM.HE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR TH…
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DT: CONTACT COMPLAINED ABOUT THE RECALL OF EARLIER MODELS OF THE SAME CAR WHERE THE CLOCK SPRING IN THE STEERING COLUMN WAS BAD. THE STEERING WAS NOT AFFECTED .THIS CAUSED THE HORN AND CRUISE CONTROL TO MALFUNCTION. THE AIR BAG LIGHT CAME ON INTERMITTENTLY. CONTACT CALLED DODGE AND TOLD THEM.HE HAD THIS PROBLEM FOR THE PAST WEEK. *AK
WHEN STARTING MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT, THE SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES AROUND AND "FLIPS" BACK BEHIND THE PIECE THAT IS UNDERTHE 0 MPH, PREVENTING THE SPEEDOMETER FROM WORKING. IT IS AN IMTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLING WORSE IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS (3 TIMES). THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I COULD HIT ON THE DASH WHEN TH…
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WHEN STARTING MY 2001 DODGE CARAVAN SPORT, THE SPEEDOMETER BOUNCES AROUND AND "FLIPS" BACK BEHIND THE PIECE THAT IS UNDERTHE 0 MPH, PREVENTING THE SPEEDOMETER FROM WORKING. IT IS AN IMTERMITTENT PROBLEM THAT HAS BECOME INCREASINGLING WORSE IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS (3 TIMES). THE FIRST COUPLE OF TIMES I COULD HIT ON THE DASH WHEN THE CAR WAS OFF AND IT WOULD "RESET" AND WORK FINE, BUT THIS DOES NOT ALWAYS WORK SO WHEN I'M DRIVING I CAN'T TELL HOW FAST I'M GOING. NO INJURIES OR TICKETS YET-I HAVEN'T BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IN TO BE LOOKED AT WHILE THIS WAS OCCURING SO I COULD GET IT FIXED. I HAVE ALSO HAD PROBLEMS WITH THE DRIVER SIDE WINDOW (POWER) GETTING STUCK DOWN (2 TIMES IN LAST 3 MONTHS). I HAVE ALSO HAD A "RATTLEING" NOISE THAT OCCURS WHEN I'M DRIVING AT A STEADY 45 MPH UNDER THE FRONT END. I HAD A DEALER "FIX" IT UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY, BUT IT STARTED DOING IT AGAIN AFTER ABOUT A WEEK. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO TAKE IT BACK IN TO BE LOOKED AT.
SUDDEN ACCELERATION. STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VAN BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT CONTROL. ATTEMPTS TO STOP WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. ACCELERATION STOPPED AS SUDDEN AS IT STARTED. CAR DEALER SAID IT POSSIBLY WAS A BUILD UP OF "CARBON AROUND THE AIRINTAKE FLAP CAUSING IT TO STICK OPEN". PAID $160 FOR MAINTENANCE TO CLEAN THE INTA…
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SUDDEN ACCELERATION. STARTING FROM A STOP LIGHT, THE VAN BEGAN ACCELERATING WITHOUT CONTROL. ATTEMPTS TO STOP WERE UNSUCCESSFUL. ACCELERATION STOPPED AS SUDDEN AS IT STARTED. CAR DEALER SAID IT POSSIBLY WAS A BUILD UP OF "CARBON AROUND THE AIRINTAKE FLAP CAUSING IT TO STICK OPEN". PAID $160 FOR MAINTENANCE TO CLEAN THE INTAKE. IT WAS A SCARY INCIDENT THAT COULD HAVE RESULTED IN AN ACCIDENT.*AK
Official recalls
304V531000 · Equipment:electrical:radio/tape Deck/cd Etc.
Nov 2, 2004
ON CERTAIN MINI VANS, CONDENSATION FROM THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AIR CONDITIONING DUCTS MAY DROP THROUGH VENT HOLES IN THE TOP OF THE RADIO AND RESULT IN A SHORT CIRCUIT THAT SUBSEQUENTLY SENDS DIRECT CURRENT TO THE REAR SPEAKERS.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN A SPEAKER FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL ADD A SPECIAL TAPE TO THE TOP OF THE RADIO TO PREVENT THE POTENTIAL OF WATER INTRUSION. THE RECALL BEGAN ON JANUARY 31, 2005. OWNERS SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
03V094000 · Structure
Mar 7, 2003
CERTAIN PICKUP TRUCK, VAN, AND MINI VAN CONVERSIONS EQUIPPED WITH SOUTHERN COMFORT BUILT RUNNING BOARDS THAT CONTAIN CERTAIN COURTESY LIGHTS MANUFACTURED BY AMERICAN TECHNOLOGY COMPONENTS, INC. THESE UNITS CONTAIN A COURTESY LIGHT OR LIGHTS THAT MIGHT OVERHEAT WHEN THE WIRE HARNESS IS EXPOSED TO EXCESSIVE MOISTURE AND ROAD SALT.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS OVERHEATING CONDITION CAN CAUSE THE RUNNING BOARD TO MELT OR CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE WIRING HARNESS ON THESE RUNNING BOARDS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN MARCH 7, 2003. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT SOUTHERN COMFORT AT 1-800-745-6096.
01V152000 · Suspension:front:control Arm:lower Arm
May 8, 2001
VEHICLE DESCRIPTION: MINIVANS. THE LOWER CONTROL ARM PIVOT BOLT COULD FRACTURE.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: IF THE BOLT FRACTURES, THE LOWER CONTROL ARM COULD SEPARATE FROM THE CROSSMEMBER, CAUSING A LOSS OF VEHICLE CONTROL.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE LEFT AND RIGHT LOWER CONTROL ARM BOLTS AND NUTS. OWNER NOTIFICATION BEGAN APRIL 30, 2001. OWNERS WHO TAKE THEIR VEHICLES TO AN AUTHORIZED DEALER ON AN AGREED UPON SERVICE DATE AND DO NOT RECEIVE THE FREE REMEDY WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME SHOULD CONTACT DAIMLERCHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
2EA05009 · Headlight Malfunction
Opened Jun 1, 2005 · Closed May 2, 2006
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
OWNER REPORTS INDICATE ALLEGATIONS OF IMPROPER HEADLIGHT OPERATION OF ONE OR BOTH HEADLIGHTS.SOME REPORT INTERMITTENT OUTAGE OR DIMMING.MANY REPORT THAT THE CONDITION IS RANDOM; IT SOMETIMES DOES NOT REPEAT AND LASTS FOR A VERY SHORT DURATION. A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT HAS NOT BEEN IDENTIFIED AT THIS TIME AND FURTHER USE OF AGENCY RESOURCES DOES NOT APPEAR TO BE WARRANTED.ACCORDINGLY, THIS INVESTIGATION IS CLOSED.THE CLOSING OF THIS INVESTIGATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE A FINDING BY NHTSA THAT A SAFETY-RELATED DEFECT DOES NOT EXIST.THE AGENCY WILL MONITOR THIS ISSUE AND RESERVES THE RIGHT TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION IF WARRANTED BY THE CIRCUMSTANCES.SEE SUMMARY REPORT FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION.
PE05004 · Headlight Malfunction
Opened Feb 2, 2005 · Closed Jun 1, 2005
Status: closed (inferred from source dates) · Electrical System; Exterior Lighting:headlights; Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Electrical System
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.
Exterior Lighting:headlights:switch
THE OFFICE OF DEFECTS INVESTIGATION (ODI) OPENED THIS INVESTIGATION AFTER RECEIVING REPORTS FROM CONSUMERS THAT THEIR HEADLIGHTS WOULD MALFUNCTION IN VARIOUS WAYS FROM FLICKERING TO COMPLETE NON-ILLUMINATION.HEADLIGHT OPERATION IS MONITORED BY THE VEHICLE'S BODY CONTROL MODULE (BCM) AND FRONT CONTROL MODULE (FCM).ODI IS UPGRADING THIS PRELIMINARY EVALUATION TO AN ENGINEERING ANALYSIS (EA05-009) TO FURTHER EXAMINE THE ISSUE.